The rivalry in T20 cricket always speaks volumes between India vs Pakistan and Australia vs England. However, South Africa vs New Zealand (Proteas vs Kiwis) also provided intense and memorable matches. South Africa vs New Zealand head-to-head, records, team stats, timeline, and key performances.
South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team stats in a T20 narrates another story. The South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline in T20s, the first T20 between South Africa and New Zealand took place on October 21, 2005, in the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. That match initiated a rivalry between them. South Africa, won by 6 wickets.
Note: The Wanderers Stadium, or more familiarly the Bullring for its intimidating atmosphere, is a cricket venue south of Sandton in Illovo, Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa.
Also read: IND vs IRE Head to Head in ODI || IND vs ZIM Head to Head in Test
South Africa vs New Zealand Head to Head Record in T20
South Africa vs New Zealand have played 15 times with each other in the T20 format. Out of 15 matches, South Africa won 11, New Zealand won 4.
| Total Matches | 15 |
| South Africa Won | 11 |
| New Zealand Won | 4 |
| South Africa Lost | 4 |
| New Zealand Lost | 11 |
| Draw | 0 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
SA vs NZ Head to Head Record at Home Ground in T20
South Africa Record at Home Ground Against New Zealand in T20
South Africa played eight, T20 matches against New Zealand at their home ground. South Africa won 5, New Zealand won 3.
| Total Matches | 8 |
| South Africa Won | 5 |
| New Zealand won | 3 |
| South Africa Lost | 3 |
| New Zealand Lost | 5 |
| Draw | 0 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
Also read: WI vs SA Head to Head in ODI || AFG Vs BAN Head to Head in ODI
New Zealand at Home Ground Against South Africa in T20
New Zealand played four, T20 matches against South Africa at their home ground. New Zealand won 1, South Africa won 3.
| Total Matches | 4 |
| New Zealand Won | 1 |
| South Africa Won | 3 |
| New Zealand Lost | 3 |
| South Africa Lost | 1 |
| Draw | 0 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
SA vs NZ Head to Head Record at Away Ground in T20
Three matches were played, between the South Africa and New Zealand national cricket teams. South Africa won 3 matches, and New Zealand 0 matches.
| Total Matches | 3 |
| South Africa Won | 3 |
| New Zealand won | 0 |
| South Africa Lost | 0 |
| New Zealand Lost | 3 |
| Draw | 0 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
SA vs NZ: South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team stats & records in T20
Highest Score in SA vs NZ in T20
- The highest score in a South Africa vs New Zealand T20 match is 185/6; achieved by South Africa in Eden Park, Auckland on 17 Feb 2017.
Fact: Eden Park is a sports stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, located three kilometers Southwest of the CBD, between Mount Eden and Kingsland. The capacity of the stadium is 50,000, and it is New Zealand’s national stadium.
Highest Score by SA Against NZ in T20
- The highest total of South Africa against New Zealand in a T20 game is 185/6; South Africa achieved this feat at Eden Park, Auckland on 17 Feb 2017.
Highest Score by NZ Against SA in T20
- New Zealand’s highest total against South Africa in the T20s is 177/7, which they made in SuperSport Park, Centurion on 16 Aug 2015.
Note: SuperSport Park, Centurion, also previously known as Centurion Park.
Lowest Score in SA vs NZ in T20
- 86/10 is the lowest-ever total in an SA vs NZ T20 match; this total was attained by New Zealand on 21 Dec 2012, at Kingsmead, Durban.
Lowest Score by SA Against NZ in T20
- South Africa’s lowest total in the T20 against New Zealand is 128/7, recorded at Lord’s, England on 9 Jun 2009.
Fact: Lord’s Cricket Ground, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket” and “Mecca of Cricket” is owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and has staged all the Men’s World Cup finals from 1975 to 2019, along with the Women’s World Cup finals in 1993 and 2017.
Lowest Score by NZ Against SA in T20
- The lowest score by New Zealand against South Africa in the T20s is 86/10, which they made at Kingsmead, Durban on 21 Dec 2012.
Also read:
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team Stats: Individual Records in SA vs NZ T20
Most runs & Highest Score in South Africa vs New Zealand T20
Martin Guptill scored the most runs in South Africa vs New Zealand T20s for New Zealand against South Africa, while AB de Villiers scored the most runs for South Africa in T20s. Richard Levi registered the highest score for a South African batsman representing the country against New Zealand in T20. At the same time, Martin Guptill did the same for the Kiwis against South Africa.
| Stats | SA | NZ |
| Most Run | AB de Villiers (270 runs) in 11 innings | Martin Guptill (424 runs) in 10 innings |
| Highest Scorer | Richard Levi (117*) in 51 balls | Martin Guptill (101*) in 69 balls |
Most Wickets & Best Bowling in South Africa vs New Zealand T20
Morne Morkel took the most wickets in the T20s against New Zealand, while Tim Southee from New Zealand took the most scalps against South African batsmen in a T20 match. Imran Tahir had the best bowling figure in an inning for a South African bowler against the Kiwis in T20s. At the same time, Nathan Astle produced the best bowling figure for New Zealand against South Africa in a T20 match.
| Stats | SA | NZ |
| Most Wickets | Morne Morkel (48) in 40 innings | Tim Southee (33) in 30 innings |
| Best Bowling | Imran Tahir (5/24) | Nathan Astle (3/20) |
South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline: T20
Early Encounters: 2000s
The first T20I between South Africa vs New Zealand took place in Johannesburg on October 21, 2005, when the format was in its early years as both teams were adapting to the pace.
First T20I:
- Date: Oct 21, 2005
- Outcome: Kiwis (New Zealand) won by 5 wickets, with 12 balls remaining.
Top Performers:
- South Africa: Graeme Smith (61 runs, 1 wickets)
- New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (31 runs)
This first T20I was quite important, which initiated the competitive rivalry between them. South Africa easily chased down New Zealand’s target set for them, and it was all set for the future course of matches.
The 2010s: Rivalry Grows
In the 2010s, they met many times in T20Is between South Africa and New Zealand. Kiwis were known for their all-round prowess, while South Africa was known for its disciplined & consistent bowling line-ups.
Notable Series in the 2010s:
- In the 2012 T20I Series, South Africa won 2-1, thanks to Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.
- During the 2014 ICC World T20, South Africa edged New Zealand in that group stage match with a thrilling 2-run victory.
2014 ICC World T20 Group Stage
This is one of the closest T20I encounters between South Africa and New Zealand.
- Date: Mar 24, 2014
- Venue: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
- Outcome: South Africa won by 2 runs.
Top Performers:
- South Africa: Dale Steyn 4/17, JP Duminy 86* in 43 balls
- New Zealand: Ross Taylor 62* runs in 37 balls
South Africa hardly fought to hold on to the score of 170, and finally, thanks to an excellent last over by Dale Steyn, got out New Zealand, which needed 7 runs in the last over, with Steyn managing to nail yorkers.
| Date | Series | Ground | Result |
| 21/10/2005 | New Zealand | Wanderers Stadium | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
| 19/09/2007 | New Zealand | Kingsmead | South Africa won by 6 wickets |
| 23/11/2007 | New Zealand | Wanderers Stadium | South Africa won by 3 wickets |
| 09/06/2009 | New Zealand | Lord’s | South Africa won by 1 run |
| 06/05/2010 | New Zealand | Kensington Oval | South Africa won by 13 runs |
| 17/02/2012 | New Zealand | Sky Stadium | New Zealand won by 6 wickets |
| 19/02/2012 | New Zealand | Seddon Park | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
| 22/02/2012 | New Zealand | Eden Park | South Africa won by 3 runs |
| 21/12/2012 | New Zealand | Kingsmead | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
| 23/12/2012 | New Zealand | Buffalo Park | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
| 26/12/2012 | New Zealand | St George’s Park | South Africa won by 33 runs |
| 24/03/2014 | New Zealand | Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium | South Africa won by 2 runs |
| 14/08/2015 | New Zealand | Kingsmead | South Africa won by 6 wickets |
| 16/08/2015 | New Zealand | SuperSport Park | New Zealand won by 32 runs |
| 17/02/2017 | New Zealand | Eden Park | South Africa won by 78 runs |
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard: Last Five T20s Matches
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard- Only One Match
17/02/2017:
- Eden Park, Auckland
- New Zealand won the toss, elected to field
- South Africa 185/6 (20 overs)
- New Zealand 107/10 (14.5 Overs)
- South Africa won by 78 runs
- Man of the Match- Imran Tahir (5/24)
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard- 2nd Match
16/08/2015:
- SuperSport Park, Centurion
- New Zealand won the toss, elected to bat
- South Africa 145/8 (20 overs)
- New Zealand 177/7 (20 Overs)
- South Africa won by 32 runs
- Man of the Match- Martin Guptill (65 in 35 balls)
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard- 1st Match
14/08/2015:
- Kingsmead, Durban
- South Africa won the toss, elected to field
- South Africa 152/4 (17.2 overs)
- New Zealand 151/8 (20 Overs)
- South Africa won by 6 wickets
- Man of the Match- Aaron Phangiso (2/29)
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard: ICC World Cup T20- 18th Match
24/03/2014:
- Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
- New Zealand won the toss, elected to field
- South Africa 170/6 (20 overs)
- New Zealand 168/8 (20 Overs)
- South Africa won by 2 runs
- Man of the Match- JP Duminy (86* in 43 balls)
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard- 3rd Match
26/12/2012:
- Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth
- South Africa won the toss, elected to bat
- South Africa 179/6 (20 overs)
- New Zealand 146/9 (20 Overs)
- South Africa won by 33 runs
- Man of the Match- Henry Davis (68 in 51 balls)
| Note: Gqeberha, also previously known as Sahara Oval. |
